S2 E83. One Man's Obsession with Theodor Herzl

Theodor Herzl is the father of the modern political Zionist movement, but the centrality of his vision to the founding of the state of Israel is less understood than it might be. Herzl was living an assimilated life in late 19th-century Vienna but continually came up against brick walls blocking his professional advancement. Because he was Jewish. He quickly formed the view that the Jewish people must transform from victims to masters of their fate. Putting pen to paper, he wrote essays, plays, and even one or two novels. His writing is turgid but important as it articulates a bold and modern political ideology that, in turn, became the spark for the organized Zionist movement. Herzl’s spirit animal is David Matlow, who I am proud to call a friend. A Toronto lawyer, Matlow has amassed the largest collection of Herzl-related “stuff” in the world over decades. His fascination with Herzl began when he was a young boy visiting his grandparents every summer in Israel. The objects he has found over decades bring to life the man and his extraordinary legacy. Oy. And the stories. Matlow’s collection fetish really took off with the advent of the internet—which also coincided with a remarkable find in a garbage bin in Jerusalem. Matlow has a gift for telling a good tale, and he has done wonders portraying the work, life, and legacy of Theodor Herzl. Until January 23, a small selection of his collection is featured in an exhibition at the Temple Emanu-El in New York. If you can get there, it is well worth attending. Our discussion is not only informative but, like David Matlow, engaging and fun. It is the perfect indulgence for this time of year.

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Podcast Notes

* The cardboard portrait of Herzl that was framed in the living room of David Matlow’s grandparents’ home in Ramat Gan.

* Cards from the first seven Zionist Congress meetings held annually, beginning with the Basel meeting in 1897, when the iconic photo of Herzl on the balcony was taken.

* We’re Canadian. Herzl. Hockey. Because - why not? David was even kind enough to give me two pairs of socks with a hockey playing Herzl print. This figurine did not make it into the Exhibit.

* The Norwegian sardines branded “Dr. Herzl.”

* The locket notebook signed by “Benjamin”, as Herzl was known to his close friends.

* The poster for the “All About Herzl” Exhibit at the Bernard Museum, Temple Emanu-El, New York City.

* A few photographs from the exhibition.

* David Matlow on one of many visits - I assume - to Herzl’s grave in Jerusalem. If you look closely you will see that he is wearing the Herzl hockey socks.

His brief bio is below.

David Matlow practices law at Goodmans LLP in Toronto. He owns the world's largest collection of Theodor Herzl memorabilia (over 6,000 items), and his Herzl Project is designed to inform people about Herzl's work to inspire them to work to complete Herzl's dream. He is the chairman of the Ontario Jewish Archives and a director of the Center for Israel Education. In David’s weekly Treasure Trove column in the Canadian Jewish News he showcases one historical item from his collection, which all together tell the story of Israel through “stuff". More information about the Herzl Project is available at www.herzlcollection.com

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